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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Supershuttle Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with SuperShuttle, a shared-ride transportation company based in Arizona, to resolve a complaint that it discriminated against a blind person who uses a service animal. Specifically, the Justice Department determined that SuperShuttle violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by forcing a blind person who uses a service animal and her party to ride in a separate van and charging them a higher rate than other individuals who are allowed to share a van and pay a reduced fare.

“Americans with disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities that others have and the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are treated equally,” said Eve L. Hill, Senior Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We are pleased that SuperShuttle has committed to taking affirmative steps to remedy this situation throughout its company.”

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, SuperShuttle will adopt a revised service animal non-discrimination policy; train all employees, franchisees and independent contractors on the requirements of the ADA; and pay $1,000 in damages to the complainant.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by private transportation providers. Among other things, transportation providers must allow people with disabilities the full and equal enjoyment of their goods, services and facilities. They must also make reasonable modifications of their policies, practices and procedures to permit service animals by people with disabilities.

Those interested in learning more about this settlement or an entity’s obligations under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or access its ADA website at www.ADA.gov . Additionally, ADA complaints may be filed by email to ADA.Complaint@usdoj.gov .